Apparatus for refining and desilverizing lead.



APPLIUATION IILED DBO. 9, 1910.

Patented Aug. 11, 1914,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

w viincooeo M W. THUM. APPARATUS FOR REPINING AND DESILVERIZING LEAD.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 9, 1910.

Patented Aug. 11, 191%.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Wan/c0020 WILLIAM THUM, or HAMMOND, INDIANA.

rib.

APPARATUS FOR REFINING- AND DESILVERTZING LEAD.

'Taall whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM THUM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Hammond, in the county of Lake and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Refining and Desilverizing Lead, of which the followin is a specification.

The invention re ates to the refining and desilverizing'of lead bullion by crystallization processes as the Pattinson process, especially by the modification of the Pattinson process by Luce and Rozan and derivative processes enerally known as steam pattinsonizing" processes. These processes separate silver, gold, bismuth and other impurities from the lead containedin the lead base bullion, by concentratin the former into one portion of the lead bul ion treated, while the remainder of the lead is obtained as desilverized, soft lead in another portion.

Briefly stated, the operations in a Pattinson' kettle series using other means than agitation by hand and transfer of the prodacts by hand ladles, are as follows: Lead base bullion, containing silver, is preferably melted in a special kettle or in a reverbera- Lory furnace, with or without a pr eliminary refining or softening, for the elimination in part, or the whole, of the 00' per, antimony,

- arsenic, etc. The liquid bul ion is'riin into one of the central kettles of a. series of kettles, which are heated by any convenient means, and is there subjected to the followin% operations ir'st. Agitationbyste'am blown through them'olten bath, and cooling by intermittently applying a water spray on the agitated surface of the molten bath. This operation is the crystallization period proper;

and during this period the lead crystals,

poor, in silver, are formed and sink to the bottom of the kettle as a mushy mass, the enriched alloy collecting on top as well as permeating the mass of crystals.

Secondly. Removal'of the liquid alloy by tappingiv same through one of the two spouts at the bottom of the,kettle and through a screen adapted to retainthe crystals. The enriched -all'oy, amounting to about onethird oflthe total, is always transferred in one direction to the adjoining kettle of the series, which kettle is two-thirds filledwith- .metalof the same tenor in silver from previous operations. The transfer of the alloy Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 9, 1910. Serial No. 596,400.

Patented Aug. ill, 1914'.

is accomplished either by raising the kettle being tapped, or by lowering the receiving kettle; or, by means of large ladles moved by powerful cranes and the like.

Thirdly. Remelting of the .crystals, amounting to about two-thirds of the total charge of the bullion melted, and transfer of the same to an adjoining kettle through the other of the two spouts at the bottom of the kettle, but in the opposite direction to product is subjected. to further refining treatment, usually by zinc desilverization or by direct cupellation; the latter is sold. Durlng these operations any dross that is formed is skimmed off and is reduced in'a special reverberatory or blast furnace to base bullion, which is returned to the process.

My invention has for its object to simplify the methodof transfer from kettle to kettle of the enriched portion of the bullion and of the melted, impoverished crystals of lead; and to obtain a permanent, fixed arran ement of the apparatus on one floor leve, easy of access and operation, and whereby all cumbersome and expensive mechanism to elevate .the kettles in tapping by gravity, or -in transferring the kettle contents in ladles by hand, or by mechanical lifting appliances and the like, may be avoided.

My invention has for its further object to so mount and construct the kettles that they may be readily and inexpensively interchanged or removed from their settings in case of renewal or repair.

The invention also contemplates the employment of air under high pressure, in-

stead of steam, for the agitation of the rangement of a kettle at the end of the series to which the enriched product is being transferred, and from which kettle the rich bullion containing silver, gold, bismuth and small quantities of impureties may be cast into anodes suitable for subsequent electro- 1 tie refining treatment for the recovery of t e metals gold, silver and bismuth, and an timony and copper, if present.

The nature of my invention will .be best understood when described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a series of kettlesjfor the lead bullion, said series communicating at each end with suitable kettles, shown -in'sction, the kettle at one end being employed to melt and cast the refined portion ofthe lead into merchant bars, while from the kettle at the other end, the enriched portion-of the lead is cast into anodes for subsequent electrolytic refining treatment. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a kettle and the general arrangement of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a detail view'"o'f the air pipe connection into kettle. .Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation, part1 'in section, of the kettle and setting there of; Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective of the kettle setting. -Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detailof the removable pieces of shell placed over the spouts to facilitate the replacement of kettle.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, 10 designates a kettle suitably mounted in a settin 11, as will hereinafter be more fully descri ed, said kettles being arranged on one floor level and of a suliic'ient number, preferably ten, to effect the desired separation. Suitable,pipc'connections 12 and 13 are provided between the respective kettles, the pipe connection 13 affording a communication from one side of the. kettle to the top of the kettle containing lead of greater richness; and .the pipe connection 12 affording communication from the other side of the kettle to the top of the kettle containingmore imkettles.

poverished lead. A flow, in different directions, of enriched and impoverished lead is therefore provided for through the series of At each end of the series of lead kettles are suitable kettles 14 and 15, the former being adapted to receive the enriched portion of the lead and the latter the refined portion of the lead. From the kettle 14 the rich bullion containing silver, gold, bismuth and small quantities of impurities is cast into anodes for subsequent electrolytic refining treatment to recover the metals gold, silver andbismuth, and antimony and copper-if present. Fromthe other kettle, the refined lead, after being melted therein, is cast into merchant bars. The means for effecting this flow of enriched and impoverished lead in opposite directions, and the general construction of a kettle and its setting, are more fully shown in Figs. 2 to 6. Fig. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, of one of the units of the series of kettles and of a suitable setting therefor. These units are preferably made of cast steel, and

are provided with working doors 20 through which the lead in the shape of pig or in molten condition is charged, and through which, also, a spray of cooling water may be introduced. The drosses formed on the bath may be skimmed therefrom and removed through this door and through a suitable chute 21 (Fig. 2). A tilting car 22, or the like, receives this dross and is movable bewithin the said kettle. A vent 28 of ample dimensions is provided at the top of the kettle for the dust and air, when blowing and cooling the lead, as well as a valve 28 which is closed ;when elastic fluid pressure is applied.- Furthermore," a pipe connection 29, into which is inserted a suitable valve 30, s made at the top of the kettle 10 for the purpose of introducing a suitable elastic fluid under pressure. within said kettle to effect. the removal of the lead therefrom. The pipe connections 12 and 13 from the preceding'and succeedingkettles of the series arearran ed to also enter the said kettle at the top. ear thebottom of the kettles is provided a pipe connection 31 for the intro-- duction thereto of a suitable agitating medium such asair or steam, and which is ada ted tobe distributed by means of a bafi e 32 within the said kettle.

The manner of introducing the pipe connection 31 into the kettle is shown in detail in Fig. 3. An opening 33 is made in the setting for the kettle 10 and a tile bushing 34 is inserted therein. A valve bonnet 35 is suitably secured to the flange nipple 36 of the kettle; and the'said, nipple provides a chamber 37 communicating through a port 38 with the pipe 31. A valve steam 39 is adapted-to be advanced and retracted in any suitable manner to respectively close and open an inlet 39 from chamber 37 into the kettle. The opening33 is made of sufficient dimensions to permit the parts to be readily assembled, after which it is filled out with the tile bushing 34. This latter, also, serves to protect the valve parts and nipple against the heat of the fire. The construction thus provided with'a valve 45. A suitable gas,

against which the flame from the'burnersmouse setforth afi'ord's very simple and con:-

and 13 respectively, a strainer '42 being-im' troduced in the spout 41 The connections 12 and 13are providdwith suitable valves 43 toclose the same,and' with a ble'eder 44 or oil burner 46 is provided beneath the set-1 ting 10 and over an ignition, block fan'd spreader 47; and, for the purpose of obtaining a uniform distribution of the heat under the kettle 10, a checker-work arch 48 provided beneath the said kettle and is directed.- Air for the combustion is supplied to the burner through a pipe 49; and

y the products of combustion are led off through a tile gas flue 50 passing through the setting 11, which communicatesalso with the main fiue 51, common to the series of furnaces. A' manhole and working door 52 are provided in the setting 11. The kettle itself is mounted in a novel manner in the setting, so as to be readily removable for replacement or repair. To this end the ortions of the setting over the spouts an 41 made in sections held together by straps 66.

The operation of my jim roved apparatus is as follows: The process aving been started in one of the central kettles of the series and heated to the desired degree by means of the oil burner 46, water is s rayed on the surface of the charge throng the working door 20 to quickly cool the mass to the critical temperature for the formationof crystals. This operation is assisted by agitating the molten mass by means of steam. or ,air

introduced through the The crystals thus 'forme settle to the botipe connection 31.

tom of the'kettle, the enriched lead perm ating the same as well as forming a layer on the to of the bath. The door 20 is then I secure y locked by means of the supplementary door 25, the valve 43 for the connection l2'closed and the agitating steam or air shut 01f. Fluid pressure is then exerted upon the molten mass by introducing air or steam, or

are of special tile 60and of a width'sufiicient rovided with .a bearing other suitable medium, through the pipe connection 29-, the pressure belng suflicient to strain the enrichedlead through the con- -side. mentof the kettle, the same' may be readily "removed without destroying the entire setcranes for this purpose.

-iiection 13 into the adjacent kettle, and the bullion is thus removed' The remainder, in crystallized form, is then again melted, after shutting off .the source of fluid pressure.

-When sufficiently molten, the valve 43 of the connection 12 is opened and fluid pressure again exerted upon the mass within the kettle 10, thustransferring the impoverished lead into the top of the kettle at the other In case of any repairs to or replaceting by disconnecting the pipe connections 12 and 13 from the1r respective spouts 40 and 41 and removing bearing ring 64, the straps 63, sections 61 and the tiles 60. The kettle as a whole may be then lifted by suitable means.

The construction herein set forth provides a series of pattinsonizing units from which the lead may be transferred without raising the units being tapped, or lowering the receiving one. It, furthermore, obviates the use of large l'adles operated by powerful The unitsare all on one floor level, are readily accessible, and the transfer is effected in the most simple manner. Moreover, should any of the units require repair or replacement, the construction herein disclosed affords a ready means for effecting the same without necessitating any injury to the setting for said unit. I

I claim g 1. 'An apparatus for refining impure lead,

comprising: a plurality of crystallizin'g kettles permanently maintained in fixed position; means connecting a kettle with another of said plurality of kettlesfor effecting the discharge of molten metal from one to the other; and means to introduce a suitable fluid under pressure within said kettles to effect the removal of molten metal through the said connecting means.

' 2. An apparatus for refining impure lead, comprising: a series of crystallizing kettles permanently maintained at the same level; means connecting the kettles for effecting the discharge ofthe contents of one into another; and means to introduce a suitable fluid under pressure within said kettles to effect the removal of the .contents through the said connecting means.

43 In an apparatus for refining impure lead: a melting kettle provided -with spouts;

and a suitable setting for said kettle, the

ortion ofthe setting over said spouts being independent of the setting proper and readily removable.

4. In an apparatus for refining impure lead: a melting kettle provided with spouts; a suitable setting for said kettle, the portion of the setting over said spouts being independent of the setting proper and readily side of said blocks to retain the same in po-- removable; and means to retain said re-' sition, and Ways connected with the main movable portions of the settingin position. portion of the setting within which the said 5. In an apparatus for refining impure sheet steel sections are adapted to slide. 15

".- lead: a melting kettle provided at the bot- Signed at Hammond, in the county of lon'i with two oppositely disposed spouts; a Lake and State of Indiana this (3th day of suitable setting for said kettle, comprising December A D 1910.

a main portion and removable portions, the \VILLIAM THUM.

latter consisting of a plurality of blocks of lVitnesses: J fire resisting material mounted oversaid PETER \V. MEYER,

spouts, sheet steel sections about the outer JOHN N. BECKMAN. 

